Classroom Resources: The Sterile Banana

The author suggests a link between sexual reproduction and maintainance of genetic diversity, both naturally and culturally, to fight off pests and diseases. What is that link?

If the lack of genetic diversity puts the banana and other crop species at risk from novel environmental threats, how have they managed to survive the many thousands of years since their domestication?

How might the technology for genetic engineering be used to help preserve landraces of crops that are at risk of extinction?

One of the major social trends of the 20th century was increased globalization of trade and the economy relative to previous centuries. In what ways has globalization hurt efforts to maintain landraces of crops species? In what ways has globalization helped?